I'm looking for an inexpensive (relative, I know) 1080p+ panel for photo work. Size isn't important, but under 21" would probably result in unbearably small pixels. I'm aware of Dell's excellent U2311, but I'd like to open up for ideas on other models, including used ones. I intend to get a calibrator to ensure accuracy for the panel, and the photos will be coming off of an entry level DSLR, and on to social networking sites and printed on a consumer photo printer.

I've noticed it's a rare find, but it slots perfectly for its intended use. I prefer the 23" for the higher resolution, as it's not much more than the 22", though saving a few dollars might convince me otherwise!

Airmantharp wrote:Looking at a refurbished U2311 at the Dell Outlet. Is this really the cheapest option available?

Go to Amazon and type "IPS monitor" in the search box, and you might find one or two refurbs (like Samsung or Viewsonic) for under $200. Otherwise, $250 and 22" is about as small and cheap as they get.

In any case, they're totally worth the money when you're working with digital photos and graphics.

Last edited by ludi on Mon Feb 07, 2011 12:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I think that the HP uses a higher-end IPS panel, but I am going for bargain basement here (again, relatively). I am considering the 30" in the same line for myself, as it uses the panel from the U3011, but matches it to electronics that have been reported to calibrate better and introduce less input lag than the Dell.

I use a Dell U2711 for my photo work. Its a dream. I can shoot in Adobe RBG on my Nikon, view in aRGB on my monitor, and my print house has their print machine calibrated for aRGB as well. Everything looks great, and I can hold a print up to the monitor and they look the same.

Playing SC2 at 2560x1440 doesn't hurt either.

Another note, if you get a good monitor that is capable of 30 bit colour, you can put a cheap FireGL or Quadro card in your machine and get true 30 bit colour in aps that support it, like Photoshop or Lightroom. It looks pretty sweet.

Airmantharp wrote:Let me know what you'd like to know about it! I'm not a professional reviewer, but I'm willing to investigate and compare as you'd like.

How is the color? How are the viewing angles, from left/right and from the top and bottom? How is the evenness of the backlighting? Is there any edge bleed? How is the resolution scaling? How is the gaming?

Airmantharp wrote:I wound up purchasing a U2311 from Dell when the price dropped back down. Using a Spyder3Pro to calibrate it (and every other screen in sight).

Quick review?

Let me know what you'd like to know about it! I'm not a professional reviewer, but I'm willing to investigate and compare as you'd like.

I have the U2311 too, so I am not looking at controls, etc. I would like to see after calibration whether it can compare to the best of them. And any tips on calibration with and without the calibrator.

The Model M is not for the faint of heart. You either like them or hate them.

thecoldanddarkone wrote:I ended up purchasing the HP ZR24w from amazon with overnight shipping... For those wondering I did consider the dell u2410, but then I realized it would sit in srbg mode it's entire life

I haven't mentioned it here yet, but I did also purchase a ZR30W for 'personal use'. I've been drooling over 30" panels for years, and the resolution is simply awesome (what I bought it for). Quick impressions of it, as compared to a 28" Hanns-G:

-Colors are awesome. Yes, I know, they're supposed to be, but still; this is my first personal non-TN.-Input lag isn't noticeable, using Counter-Strike: Source as a test. This is a concern for the competing Dell U3011-Out of the box, colors and brightness were very well set, and would be great for just about anyone not needing a calibrator-Stand is wonderful- sturdy and easily adjustable, which is good for a monitor of this size-Ghosting is noticeable next to the Hanns-G. My test was to drag a window back and forth across desktops relatively quickly. Where the 3ms 28" panel remained sharp, the 8ms 30" panel was a little blurry. I have not noticed and ghosting in games yet, and I'll take the extra contrast and awesome color and resolution any day!

I'll have to move things around to compare the U2311; I also have an ancient Samsung 204B 20" TN that I can also calibrate and throw in the loop as well.

On the Spyder3Pro; I'm not sure if I like the thing yet, as it seems to think that low ambient light means screens should run at low brightness levels, and on all three monitors I've calibrated, it has had me bury brightness (never touching contrast).

My requirements were:-Quiet (using an old Lian-li PC61 case that amplifies noise)-1GB of memory (not sure if it will help for photo and video editing over 512MB, but hey, 5 bucks)-Has DisplayPort for the U2311, and HDMI for an HDTV

I'll be upgrading all of the fans in the case in order to make sure that stuff gets airflow, but overall, I think this will be a good, snappy system.